Film holder

Abstract: A flexible film holder (10) having a format which is consistent with a first filmstrip size. The film holder (10) comprises a first sheet member (14) and second sheet member (16) which are secured to each other so as to form a longitudinally extended pocket (22) therebetween for receiving and holding a filmstrip having a size smaller than the first filmstrip size.

Description: The present invention relates to a flexible film holder designed to allow use of a filmstrip of a first size in a printing, processing, or scanning apparatus designed to receive a filmstrip having a size greater than the first size. Certain photographic processing devices, such as processors, printers and film scanners, are dedicated to a particular size film. In particular, many devices are designed to receive 35mm film negatives. Typically, the negatives are provided in short length strips, i.e. from about 10-20 cm (4-8 inches), each having a plurality of images thereon. A typical 35mm negative filmstrip will have approximately 3-5 images thereon. Film formats smaller than 35mm, for example, 110mm or 16mm film size formats, would not properly fit into the devices designed for use with 35mm film. In order for these size films to be used in these devices, it would typically be necessary to redesign the film transport mechanism to receive these smaller sizes at substantial cost. In the DE-PS 828 021, a film holder is described which allows to use a film with only a sole size. Thus, here exists a need to provide means for allowing use of a smaller size film in a device without incurring substantial cost in modifying the device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a film holder which allows the use of a smaller format filmstrip in a device designed to receive a larger size filmstrip without any modification to the apparatus which is reliable, easy to use, and will not interfere with the normal use and operation of the device. The aforementioned object of the invention is attained by the features of claim 1. The present invention provides a film holder which is simple in construction, relatively inexpensive, and requires no substantial change or modification to the device in which it is to be used. Figure 1 is a top plan view of a film holder made in accordance with the present invention having a film format of a first size; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the bottom sheet of the film holder of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the top sheet of the film holder of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a top plan view of a filmstrip of a size smaller than the film format size of the film holder of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a top plan view similar to Figure 1 illustrating the insertion of the smaller size filmstrip of Figure 4 into the film holder of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a top plan view of the film holder of Figure 1 with the smaller size filmstrip of Figure 4 completely inserted therein; Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the holder and inserted filmstrip of Figure 6 as taken along line 7-7; Figure 8 is a top plan view of a modified film holder of a first format size made in accordance with the present invention for holding a filmstrip having a format size smaller than the first format size; Figure 9 is a top plan view of the bottom sheet of the film holder of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a top plan view of the intermediate layer of the filmstrip holder of Figure 8; Figure 11 is a top plan view of the top sheet of the filmstrip holder of Figure 8; and Figure 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of the filmstrip holder of Figure 8 and the smaller size filmstrip disposed therein. Referring to Figures 1-7, there is illustrated a filmstrip holder 10 made in accordance with the present invention. The filmstrip holder 10, in the particular embodiment illustrated, is of a 35mm format and thus has a plurality of perforations 12 along each of the edges which are designed to engage appropriate drive and transport mechanisms used to hold and transport 35mm size film negatives. An example of such a device is a processor printer sold by the Eastman Kodak company under the trademark CREATE-A-PRINT DE-Reg. No. 1 164 667, Class 9, sept 25, 1990. The device is designed to receive 35mm negative filmstrips and allows the user to create copies and/or enlargements of selected images that are available on the 35mm negative filmstrip. The filmstrip holder 10 comprises a bottom sheet 14 and a top sheet 16. The top and bottom sheets 14,16 are secured to each other at their lateral edges 18,20, respectively, so as to form a longitudinal receiving pocket 22 having a substantially constant width W and a length L. Referring to Figure 2, there is illustrated a top plan view of the bottom sheet of the filmstrip holder 10. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the bottom sheet 14 has a length L b and a width W b . The width W b is selected so as to be compatible with 35mm film negative formats. The length L b is such so as to accommodate the appropriate length of filmstrip 24 (see Figure 4) having a format size smaller than that of the format of the holder 10. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the filmstrip 24 has a format size equivalent to that of a 110 film format and has a length L1 and a width W1. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the width W1 is approximately 16mm and the length L1 is approximately 152mm. Referring back to Figure 2, the bottom sheet 14 is provided with a plurality of openings 26 which are spaced apart a distance D b and form cross braces 27. The braces 27 assist in providing the appreciate stiffness to the holder. The distance D b is selected to be equal to or less than the distance D1 between adjacent images on the filmstrip 24. In the particular embodiment illustrated, D1 is approximately 8mm. The openings 26 each have a leading edge 28 which is preferably curved with respect to the direction of insertion of the filmstrip 24 into the pocket 22. This is done so that the leading end 30 of strip 24 will not stub or catch the leading edge 28 of the openings 26 as the strip is being inserted into pocket 22. Referring to Figure 3, there is illustrated a top plan view of the top sheet 16. Top sheet 16 is provided with a plurality of openings 32 which are sized, shaped and spaced apart so as to substantially correspond in position with respect to openings 26 such that when the top sheet is placed on the bottom sheet 14, openings 26,32 will be in substantial alignment. The openings 26,32 combine to provide a plurality of windows 34 when the sheets 14,16 are assembled to form the filmstrip holder 10 which is designed to align with the image areas 25 on filmstrip 24. The openings 32, like openings 26, have a leading edge 30 which is curved with respect to the direction of insertion of the strip 24 so as to minimize stubbing of the leading end 30 of filmstrip 24 as it is being inserted into the pocket 22. The windows 34 allow for direct exposure of the images on the filmstrip 24 in the apparatus which is to be used. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the top and bottom sheets 14,16 are each provided with perforations 31,33 such that when the sheets 14,16 are assembled they form perforations 12. The top and bottom sheets 14,16 are designed so to have substantially the same degree of flexibility and physical properties as the filmstrip designed to be used with the device such that the drive mechanism of the apparatus will experience no substantial difference between the holder and the film negative which it was originally designed to accommodate. Thus, it is important that the thickness and configuration of the holder 10 closely resembles the filmstrip negative for which the device is originally designed to be used. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the sheets 14,16 are designed such that the overall thickness T is substantially equal to that of a conventional filmstrip and has the appropriate same degree of stiffness/flexibility of the filmstrip for which the device was originally designed to receive. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the bottom sheet 14 is made of Mylar material having a thickness T b of about .08mm. The top sheet 16 is made of Mylar material and has a thickness T t of about .08mm. The top and bottom sheets 14,16 may be secured together by any appropriate means. In the particular embodiment illustrated, an appropriate adhesive is used at the lateral edges 18,20. In the particular embodiment illustrated, pressure sensitive adhesive was used, however, other securing techniques may be used, for example, such as ultrasonic welding. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, top sheet 16 is made of a clear plastic material and the bottom sheet 14 is provided with indicia 39 that may be picked up by an appropriate sensor which would indicate that a filmstrip holder having a smaller size film therein is being inserted into the apparatus. For example, as illustrated, indicia may comprise a machine readable bar-code placed on one of the lateral edges 20 of the bottom sheet 14. Such sensor additions and software modifications to the device can be made relatively simply as opposed to redesigning the transport mechanism for receiving small size film. Preferably, the device would be able to read the bar-code so that the device would know what size film was being scanned and make any appropriate adjustments as needed or programmed therein. Also, in the preferred embodiment illustrated, means are also provided for locking the filmstrip 24 at a desired position within the pocket. In the particular embodiment illustrated, a pair of dimples 41, such as indentations or projections, are formed in the top and/or bottom sheets 14,16 which mate and lock with a corresponding indentation formed on the strip 24. In particular, this could take advantage of the existing perforation 46 that is provided in the filmstrip 24 in the space between adjacent images as is customarily done in the prior art as shown by Figure 4. As can be seen by reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, the top sheet 16 has a length L t which is less than the length L b of the bottom sheet 14. Thus, when the top sheet 16 is secured to the bottom sheet 14, the forward edge 38 of the top sheet 16 will lie over a portion of the bottom sheet 16. Preferably, as illustrated, the top sheet 16 will have a cut-away section 40 which defines the entrance to the pocket 22. In order to more clearly understand the present invention, a brief description of its use will now be described. Referring to Figure 5, there is illustrated the initial insertion of a filmstrip 24 (such as that illustrated in Figure 4) into the opening 45 of the pocket 22. The filmstrip is simply slid in the longitudinal direction as illustrated by arrow 47. The lateral edges 44 of filmstrip 24 are clampingly held between the top and bottom sheets 14,16 in the pocket 22, as best seen by reference to Figure 7. The edges of the pocket also serve to guide the filmstrip 24 as it is being slid into position. The strip 24 is inserted into the pocket 22 until the locking dimples 41 locks with the leading perforation 45 in strip 24. The holder 10 is of sufficient length L to accommodate the number of image areas typically found on the smaller filmstrip 24. Then the film holder 10 is simply placed into the device as any other filmstrip would be inserted. After use of the film has been completed, the filmstrip 24 is simply slipped out of pocket 22 and returned to the user in the appropriate format. Referring to Figures 8-12, there is illustrated a modified form of the present invention. In particular, there is illustrated a film holder 60. The film holder 60 is similar to film holder 10, like numerals indicating like parts. The film holder 60 includes a bottom sheet 14, a top sheet 16 and an intermediate sheet 82 (see Figure 9). The use of an intermediate sheet 82 has a thickness T i which forms pocket 22 which has a substantially uniform thickness T p along its cross-sectional width as illustrated in Figure 12. Preferably, the thickness T i of the pocket is slightly smaller than the thickness T s of the strip 24. The intermediate layer 82 has a width Wi substantially equal to that of top and bottom sheets 14,16. The intermediate layer 82 is secured to the top and bottom sheets 14,16 by any appropriate means. In the particular embodiment illustrated, intermediate layer 82 is made of Mylar and secured to sheets 14,16 by an appropriate adhesive. The intermediate sheet 82 includes a long, continuous opening 86 which allows the filmstrip 24 to enter the pocket 22. The intermediate strip 82 is also provided with a plurality of perforations 83 at the lateral edges which are aligned with the appropriate perforations 31,33 provided in the top and bottom sheets 14,16 to form perforations 12. The operation and use of the film holder 60 is identical to that of filmstrip holder 10. The present invention provides a film holder which is simple in construction, relatively inexpensive, and requires no substantial change or modification to the device in which it is to be used. It is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, but not by way of limitation, the perforations in the holder may be formed in the holder after the top, bottom and intermediate sheets are secured together. This would avoid the necessity of aligning these openings. Additionally the color of the sheets 14,16 and intermediate layer 82" may any color so desired. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the top sheet 16 and intermediate layer 82 are substantially clear so the bar-code on the bottom sheet can be read. Yet further, the bar-code may be placed in the intermediate layer 82 or top sheet 16. Parts List 10 filmstrip holder 12 perforations 14 bottom sheet 16 top sheet 18,20 lateral edges 22 receiving pocket 24 filmstrip 25 images 26,32 openings 27 cross braces 28 leading edges 30 leading end 31,33 perforations 34 windows 38 forward edge 39 indicia 40 cut-away section 41 dimples 42 indentations 44 lateral edges 45 leading perforation 46 perforations 47 arrow 60 film holder 82 intermediate sheet 83 perforations 86 continuous opening

Claims: A flexible film holder (10) for holding a filmstrip (24) of a first format size, said flexible film holder (10) comprising a first sheet member (14) characterized in that said holder (10) has a format size such that the film holder (10) can be held and transported through a printing or scanning apparatus designed to receive filmstrips of a second format size greater than said first format size, and a second sheet member (16) designed to be secured to said first sheet member (14) to form a pocket (22) therebetween for receiving and holding said filmstrip (24) of said first format size, and a plurality of perforations (12) are formed along the edges of said pocket which are designed to engage appropriate drive and transport mechanisms of said apparatus. A flexible film holder (10) according to claim 1 wherein said a pocket (22) has at least one cross member (27) defining at least one window (34) through which direct exposure may be provided with regard to an image formed on said filmstrip (24). A flexible film holder (10) according to claim 1 further comprising: a third intermediate sheet member (86), said third intermediate sheet member (86) being located between said first and second sheet members (14, 16), said first, second, and third members (14, 16, 86) being secured together so as to form said pocket (22). A flexible film holder (10) according to claim 1 further comprising means for guiding said filmstrip (24) of said first size into said pocket (22). A flexible film holder (10) according to claim 4 wherein said means for guiding said filmstrip (24) comprises the sides of said pocket (22) bearing against the edges of the filmstrip (24) so that the filmstrip (24) can be inserted and guided in a first longitudinal direction. A flexible film holder (10) according to claim 1 further comprising means for aligning said filmstrip (24) in a predetermined position with respect to said holder (10). A flexible film holder (10) according to claim 1 wherein said pocket (22) defines at least one window (34) for allowing direct exposure of at least one image on said filmstrip (24). A flexible film holder (10) according to claim 7 wherein said window (34) has a leading edge (30) with respect to the direction of movement of said filmstrip (24) when said filmstrip (24) is inserted into said pocket (22), said leading edge (30) having a configuration designed to minimize catching of the leading edge (30) of the filmstrip (24). A flexible film holder (10) according to claim 8 wherein said leading edge (30) has a generally curved configuration with respect to the direction of insertion of the filmstrip (24) into said holder (10). A flexible film holder (10) according to claim 1 wherein said pocket (22) defines clamping means for retaining the edges of said filmstrip (24) therebetween and allowing sliding of the filmstrip (24) in a longitudinal direction.

Inventors: CARMEN JERRY, MANICO JOSEPH ANTHONY, CARMEN, JERRY, MANICO, JOSEPH ANTHONY, CARMEN, JERRY, C/O EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY, MANICO, JOSEPH ANTHONY, C/O EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
Applicants: EASTMAN KODAK CO, EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
Application year: 1994
Main classification: G03B27
IPC codes: G03C3, G03B27, G03B21